Luis Binks, the 25‑year‑old centre‑back who captains Danish side Brøndby, has finally realised a lifelong ambition: representing Scotland at senior level. The defender, who has previously turned out for both the Scottish and English under‑21 teams, said he never needed any persuasion when new national team boss Sébastien Pocognoli invited him to join the senior squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. "I've wanted to play for Scotland for years, and now the opportunity has come.
I'm just really proud," Binks told Sky Sports News, his voice brimming with emotion. He explained that the decision was instinctive rather than the result of a hard sell from the coach. "I didn't need any convincing; I was available. I wanted to play for Scotland.
It's where your heart lies and where you feel you belong. This was always the route I wanted to take," he added. Pocognoli, who took over the Scotland job earlier this year, has made it clear that he will not pressure dual‑eligible players to choose the Tartan side. Binks echoed this philosophy, saying that any player forced to pick under duress would be making the wrong choice for their career.
"If he had to try and convince me, or anyone, it's probably not the right thing for the player," Binks remarked. The call‑up marks Binks' first full senior cap, making him one of six newcomers added to the squad for the Nations League matches against Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland.
The other debutants will join a re‑shaped Scotland side that sees only three members of Steve Clarke's World Cup‑ending squad – Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams – still available, the latter two sidelined by injury. While the environment is fresh, Binks will find familiar faces in the camp.
He recalled a previous experience with fellow Scottish defender Aaron Hickey during a stint in Bologna, where Hickey received a call‑up while they were both abroad. "I could play for the under‑21s at the time and nothing ever came up, but Scotland was always the one for me that I wanted to go and play for," Binks said. He reflected on his early days with the Scotland under‑16s, describing the atmosphere as "proper" and "like playing with mates," a feeling that has stayed with him and motivated his return.
The new era under Pocognoli officially begins in Ljubljana on Saturday, where Scotland will face Slovenia. Three days later, the team will travel to Hampden Park for a high‑stakes clash with Switzerland. The itinerary continues with a trip to North Macedonia on October 3, before returning to Glasgow for a second meeting with Slovenia on October 6.
Scotland's recent history in the Nations League has been mixed. After a play‑off loss to Greece last year, the side dropped from League A to League B and will now compete in the second tier.
The squad’s ambition, according to Binks, is to regain a place in the top group. "Obviously we want to get to the A group of the Nations League, but there are a lot of new faces, new management, new ways of playing," he observed. He drew a parallel between the national team transition and his own club situation, noting that he has also recently adjusted to a new manager at Brøndby.
"I know what it's like because I've got a new manager at my club now and it's taking a bit of time, so I imagine it's the same sort of process here. It's just about getting the players on board and buying into everything the manager wants to do," Binks explained. The defender believes the squad is already aligning with the new vision. "It's been early days, but I think everyone is fully on board and believes in what we can do as a country," he said confidently.
Scotland’s current roster, as announced by Pocognoli, includes a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talent across all positions. Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (San Jose Earthquakes), Liam Kelly (Rangers) and Jon McCracken (Bradford City). Defenders: Luis Binks (Brøndby), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Luke Graham (Stoke City), Jack Hendry (Al‑Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Torino), Andy Robertson (Tottenham) and Stephen Welsh (Swansea City).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Josh McPake (Hearts), Lennon Miller (Udinese) and Kristie Montgomery (Blackburn Rovers). Forwards: Kieron Bowie (Sassuolo), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Ben Gannon‑Doak (Bournemouth), Oli McBurnie (Hull City), Robbie Ure (Sevilla) and James Wilson (Hearts). Fans can follow the team’s progress through Sky Sports’ various platforms, including a dedicated WhatsApp channel that delivers the latest news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis and exclusive features.
The upcoming fixtures are scheduled as follows: Slovenia vs Scotland on September 26 at 14:00, Scotland vs Switzerland on September 29 at 19:45, North Macedonia vs Scotland on October 3 at 19:45, Scotland vs Slovenia on October 6 at 19:45, Scotland vs North Macedonia on November 13 at 19:45, and Switzerland vs Scotland on November 16 at 19:45. Beyond the matches, Sky Sports is running a Super 6 competition, offering fans a chance to win a £1 million prize for free.
This promotion adds an extra layer of excitement for supporters eager to see Binks and his teammates strive for success on the international stage.